Events

Disarm DSEi 2011 – Day of Action

This September, the world’s biggest arms fair – DSEi – will be back at the ExCeL conference centre in London Docklands.

Over 1200 arms companies will be hawking their deadly wares to 25000 buyers from around the world, including military delegations from repressive, human-rights abusing regimes. This year, for the first time, the UK government will be inviting paramilitaries and border security forces.

Make no mistake; this is the big one – the nexus of capitalism, war and repression. Will we let this obscene event pass off unopposed? No we won’t! We are calling on everyone to take part in the Day of Action against DSEi on Tuesday September 13th.

Last time DSEi came to town we had a raucous march around the banks that finance the arms industry. This year we’ll target the ExCeL conference centre.

Previous Days of Action have included street parties, Critical Mass bike rides, die-ins, mock sales of “arms”, legs and even a tank; splashing fake blood across the entrances, engaging with arms dealers on the trains and platforms, invading the car park and rail entrance, blocking the roads, locking on to the trains, even swimming in the dock!

And it’s not all about the Day of Action: In previous years there have been visits to exhibitors’ premises, and tripod and boat blockades to stop equipment from arriving at the arms fair. And of course we’ll find out where the arms dealers’ dinner is taking place on September 15th and spoil their party!

In the run up to the fair we are calling on groups around the country to hold actions against the high street banks that fund the arms trade. You might also want to pay a visit to your local arms dealer, which you can find on our map of DSEi exhibitors.

What happens this year is up to all of us. Let’s show these dealers of death how unwelcome they are. Let’s Disarm DSEi!

For news, events and resources, keep an eye on the Disarm DSEi website.